What is Bliain na Gaeilge?

During Bliain na Gaeilge 2018 we will celebrate the Irish language through action on five themes: the revival of the language over the last 125
years; the creativity of the language; the vibrancy of the language; the participation of the community; and the value of our Gaeltachts.

We will celebrate and discuss the importance of the Irish language revival and the influence of the revival on communities and on historical events over the last 125 years.

We have organised a calendar of creative, artistic and community events around the world in 2018. Further events will be added to the programme during the year, and some key projects will continue after 2018.

We will celebrate the vibrancy of the language and increase the usage, positive image, visibility, shared ownership and normalisation of the Irish language in the community.

We will encourage strong participation from the community in the year and acknowledge ongoing work to promote the Irish language.

We will recognise the unique value of our Gaeltachts to national life, raise the profile and pride of their communities, and take on the unique challenges they face today to ensure their survival and renewal.

The beginning of the revival

It was on 31 July 1893, in Dublin, that Dubhghlas de hÍde, Eoin Mac Néill agus their colleagues founded The Gaelic League. The aim the new organisation gave itself was to strengthen the Irish language through speaking it and using it.

There are now more than 200 branches and a vast number of members involved with the Gaelic League all over the world, members that work hard to encourage the use of Irish in their local area.
The Gaelic League are now involved with language rights advocacy, awareness campaigns; Seachtain na Gaeilge, as well as other campaigns since then.

Oireachtas na Gaeilge organised for the first time

The first ever Oireachtas festival came together on Monday, 17 May 1897 in Dublin. It was held in the round rooms of the Rotunda. The motion was passed that ‘That an Oireachtas, or public assembly, on behalf of the Irish language, be held annually by the Gaelic League, at which prizes would be offered for readings, recitations, songs and dramatic sketches in Irish.’.

Founding of An Cumann Gaelach, Trinity

An Cumann Gaelach was founded in Trinity College, Dublin in 1907. Its aim at the time was to study the language, literature, archaeology, art and to preserve the economy of Ireland.

Deoraíocht published

A pioneering novel in the Irish language literary revival 'Deoraíocht' by Pádraic Ó Conaire was published.

Irish recognised as the national language in the south

When the Constitution was enforced at the end of 1937, the Irish language was given constitutional preference for the first time in history. The state of the Irish language in the Irish Constitution is: “ARTICLE 8:1. The Irish language as the national language is the first official language.”.

Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcasts for the first time

As a result of a strong national and local campaign run by the Gaeltacht Civil Rights Movement, Raidió na Gaeltachta came on air for the first time at 3pm, Easter Sunday, 2 April 1972. The station’s HQ is in Casla, Conamara, agus can be accessed worldwide.

Raidió na Life starts broadcasting

Raidió na Life had its first broadcast servicing the greater Dublin area in 1993. Unlike Raidió na Gaeltachta, Raidió na Life allowed the using of songs with English lyrics in a hope to inspire and promote the Irish language in Ireland's main urban centre

Recognition giving to Irish in The Good Friday

The Irish language was given recognition for the first time in The Good Friday Agreement in 1998. As a result of this, Foras na Gaeilge was founded a year later.

The European Charter in the north

Another status was given to Irish in 2001 under the European Charter for Regional and Minority languages.

Official Languages Act enacted

On 14 July 2003, The President signed the Official Languages Acht 2003 into law in the south. This was the first time that stateservices were provided in general through Irish on legislative basis. It is the aim of the legislation to increase the amount of services available in Irish while improving the overall standard that public services provide.

Irish as an official EU language

On 1 January 2007, Irish became an official EU working language. The status was achieved after a strong campaign from the community under the name “Stádas”.
As a result of the new status of the language in Europe, it’s being used more frequently in Parliament agus in parts of the European Union. There are now job opportunities available now for Irish speakers.

Bliain na Gaeilge in 2018

In 2018, we will be celebrating 125 of the Irish language revival through organising a concise activity and awareness program within the community. There are over 70 groups showing support already. The importance of the Irish language revival, the revival’s influence on the commmunity agus historical events will all be celebrated.